Method and apparatus for distributing multimedia programs

ABSTRACT

Distribution of audio and other multimedia content is accomplished by generating a multimedia session consisting of at least one multimedia program, generating a data session consisting of digital files including at least one software player program and a digital compressed file corresponding to the multimedia program; and distributing the multimedia and data sessions to consumers. The consumers can selectively play the multimedia program from said multimedia session through a player device, and through a computer by using the software player program to manipulate the compressed file. In one aspect of the invention, the multimedia and data sessions are recorded on a physical medium, such as a CD or DVD, and the medium is then distributed. In another aspect, the sessions are combined and transmitted electronically. The data session can include information associated with the multimedia content, in the form of text and graphic files.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] A. Field of Invention

[0002] This invention pertains to pertains to a method and apparatus fordistributing multimedia programs in multiple sessions on a single disk,including one session consisting of programs in a format readable onlyby a suitable player device, and a second session consisting of digitalfiles in a format readable only by a PC, this second session including acompression versions of the programs. The second session may alsoinclude graphic and/or text files with content associated with theprograms and a dedicated software player program that manages andcontrols the digital files and the manner in which they are playedand/or copied. The invention is applicable to the distribution of audio,as well as video programs.

[0003] B. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Programs, including musical selections and other audible andvisual content, are sold and distributed using means Including CDs, DVDsand other similar physical or electronic media. Until recently, therewas no equipment available to would permit an average consumer toduplicate the contents of one CD on another CD and, accordingly, CDswere considerate to be safe from unauthorized copying. However, advancesin computer technology resulted in relatively inexpensive software whichmade copying CDs a very easy and inexpensive procedure. Hence,unauthorized copies of many CDs are made all over the world, resultingin tremendous losses of revenue to the CD producers.

[0005] A further problem facing CD producers pertains to the widespreaduse of the Internet. Originally, the average Internet user had to relyon a dial-up connection which did not have a sufficient bandwidth forthe transmission of CD-quality audio programs. However new compressionschemes have been developed that are capable of reducing the size ofdigital audio files substantially. In addition, broadband Internetconnection means (including cable and DSL connections) have becomewidely available as well, These developments allow users to “rip” audioprograms from CDs, compress them and transmit the compressed files overthe Internet, using, for instance, peer-to-peer networks. This also ledto wide-spread unauthorized copying and distribution audio programs fromCDs.

[0006] Various schemes have been suggested to prevent unauthorizedcopying and distribution of audio programs. For example, the CDs can beencoded in such a manner that they cannot be read by a standardcomputer, such as a PC, but can be played on a standard CD player. Onesuch scheme is called MediaCloq™ and is available from SunnComm, Inc. ofPhoenix, Ariz. (See www.sunncomm.com). However, some consumers who havebought a CD want to transfer its contents on their PC so that they canlisten to the audio programs either on their the PC and/or copy theprograms to small personal audio players adapted to play store theseaudio programs as digital files on a solid state memory and to play theaudio programs by decompressing the digital files.

[0007] Enhanced CDs are also known that provide two sessions audioprograms in two sessions on a single medium, such as a CD, one sessionincluding the audio programs having a format readable only by an audioplayer device and the second session having digital files in a formatreadable only by a general purpose computer such as a PC. The secondsession includes digital files including compressed versions of theaudio programs and additional files containing text and/or graphicelements. The additional digital files can include information about thevarious musical selections on the CD, the artists who recorded themusical selections, lyrics, pictures associated with the CD and itsartists, and so on. However, the second session is encoded and formattedso that it can be read using only certain, usually proprietary software,such as Microsoft's Windows Multimedia Audio program.

[0008] Enhanced CDs are not satisfactory because their second sessioncan be read only if the specific player software has been installed ontheir computer. Since there are several competing such software playersavailable, the consumer can take advantage of the digital files of thesecond session only if he has the appropriate software player programinstalled on his computer. More importantly, at least from the point ofview of the PC producers, the enhanced CDs still do not solve theproblem of unauthorized copying.

[0009] These problems are also applicable to the distribution of othermultimedia programs such as videos and the like.

OBJECTIVES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An objective of the present invention is to provide a method ofdistributing multimedia programs on CDs, DVDs and other similar media ina manner that eliminates unauthorized copying of their contents.

[0011] A further objective is to provide an electronic musicdistribution (EMD) system with a standard, architecture so that it canbe used on an industry-wide basis.

[0012] Yet another objective is to provide an EMD system that isuser-friendly.

[0013] A further objective is to provide a system adapted to handlemultimedia files on a media such as a CD, as well as electronicallytransferred multimedia files without any major design or hardwarechanges.

[0014] Other objectives and advantages of the system will becomeapparent from the following description of the invention.

[0015] The invention is now described as it applies to the distributionof audio files, it being understood that the same methodology andhardware may be used for multimedia files as well. Briefly, distributingcontent in accordance with this invention is accomplished by generatingan audio session consisting of at least one audio program;

[0016] generating a data session consisting of digital files includingat least one software player program and a digital compressed filecorresponding to the audio program; and distributing the audio and datasessions to consumers. The consumers can selectively play the audioprogram from said first session through a player device, and through acomputer by using the software player program to manipulate thecompressed file. In one aspect of the invention, the audio and datasessions are recorded on a physical medium, such as a CD or DVD, and thephysical medium is then distributed.

[0017] In another aspect of the invention, the two sessions are combinedinto a composite file. The composite file is then transmittedelectronically, for example, over the Internet, to the consumers.

[0018] Preferably, the audio session is encrypted to render itundecodable by a general computer.

[0019] Preferably, the digital compressed file is encoded so that itmust be decoded by a general computer before it can be played.

[0020] The software program is used to decode the compressed digitalfile and to control the manner in which the compressed digital file isto be copied. Using the software player, the digital file can be copiedeither to the memory of the general computer, or to a portable (i.e.,Rio-type) digital player. The software player maintains a count of howmany times the compressed digital file is copied to either the memory ofthe general computer or the portable device. The compressed digital filecannot be copied in a memory if it is has been copied previously.

[0021] The data session also includes information files, including textand/or graphic files with information associated with the respectiveaudio content. For example, the information may include a table ofcontents, biographical information about the composers, or artists, andso on.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022]FIG. 1 shows a method of distributing a multi-session CD inaccordance with this invention;

[0023]FIG. 2 shows a method of distributing audio content electronicallyover a distributed computer system, such as the Internet;;

[0024]FIG. 3 shows a table indicating how a CD is partitioned into twosessions depending on the total length of the audio programs; and

[0025]FIG. 4 shows a flow chart indicating the operation of a softwareplayer in accordance with this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] In the following description, the invention is descried as itapplies to the distribution of audio content. However, it is equallyapplicable to the distribution of videos and other multimedia programswith audio-visual content, and accordingly the term “audio” is to beinterpreted wherever possible to cover “multimedia” as well.

[0027] Referring first to FIG. 1, audio content has been recorded on amedium such CD 10, using at least two sessions: an audio sessioncontaining audio programs and recorded on a portion 12 of CD 10, and adata session containing digital files and recorded on a portion 14. Theprimary function of the CD 10 is to play the audio programs on the audiosession on a standard CD player 20. Hence, normally most of the CD 10 isdevoted to the first or audio session, and the second session issubstantially smaller, as discussed in more detail below, in conjunctionwith FIG. 3. Moreover, while in FIG. 1, disk portion 12 with the audiosession is shown radially inwardly of portion 14, it should beunderstood that other arrangements may be possible as well.

[0028] The audio programs of the audio session are in a standard formatsuch as linear pulse code modulation, Dolby Digital (AC-3) or meridianlossless packing (MLP) format using the specifications adopted by themusic industry and known as the Red book CD audio specification.Preferably, the digital audio files are encoded, using MediaCloq, orother similar schemes which render the digital audio files invisible toa PC. When the CD 10 is inserted into a standard audio player device 20(such as a home stereo system) a user can activate the player device 20to play the respective audio programs in the normal manner.

[0029] The data session consists of several digital files including aplayer software program, one or more compressed audio filescorresponding to the audio programs of the audio session, andinformation files containing data related to the audio files. Thecompressed audio files contain the same musical selections as thedigital audio files, but in a different format. For example, thecompressed audio files may be in an MP3 or ATRAC3 format. The compressedaudio files are also preferably encrypted so that they must be decryptedbefore they can be played. The information files may include textsimilar to the text found on CD or LP album covers. Thus, the text mayinclude a table of contents, descriptions of the musical selections,biographical information about the artists and composers, details of howand/or where a recording was made, the lyrics, etc. The informationfiles may also include pictures and/or video clips of the artists.

[0030]FIG. 3 shows how a standard 76½ minute CD can be partitioned intotwo sessions so that the audio session can accommodate audio programhaving different durations. In each case, the sessions are separated bya session gap of 2½ minutes. The first column of FIG. 3 shows how the CDis partitioned to accommodate an audio session with audio programshaving a duration of 56 minutes, leaving 18 minutes corresponding to 162Mb for the data session. This space can be allocated as follows: 56 Mbfor compressed and encoded audio files (in MP3, ATRAC3 or any othersimilar formats); 15 Mb for the software players; 0.5 Mb for text dataand 90.5 Mb for graphic data. The allocated graphic data is sufficientfor 1064 pictures at 85 Kb/picture. This allocation is based on using ahigh quality copy protected compression scheme at encoding rate of 128Kbps encoding rate. The remaining columns shown possible allocations foraudio programs lasting 60, 62 and 64 minutes respectively.

[0031] Returning to FIG. 1, the CD 10 can also be inserted into ageneral computer such as a home computer 30. In the prior art, the homecomputer could not play the compressed audio files on the CD unless ithad a compatible player software. This problem is solved in the presentinvention by providing, preferably as part of the data session, asoftware player that is compatible with the compressed audio files of CD10. The software player is preferably self-executing when the CD isinserted into the home computer 30 and may be used to control thecopying of the compressed audio files, and to display the informationfiles described above. The software player must be compatible with theoperating system of the PC 20. Therefore, several versions of thesoftware player may be provided, each version being suitable for aparticular operating system (i.e., Windows, Apple, Linux, etc).

[0032] When the CD 10 is inserted into the home computer, the respectivesoftware player is automatically downloaded into the home computer 30and is executed or initialized. The software player then preferablyprovides a menu to the user listing a number of various operations thatcan be performed by the computer 30 using the data files. For example,the text and graphics may be downloaded and displayed to the user on thescreen of the home computer 30.

[0033] Alternatively, if the user so elects, the compressed audio filesare decompressed, decoded and played. However, this software player isadapted insures that the compressed audio files are downloaded only onceand that they are not copied on another CD.

[0034] The operation of the software player is shown in more detail inFIG. 4.

[0035] In step 200 the software player is downloaded.

[0036] In step 202 the software player is executed or initialized sothat starts up automatically.

[0037] In step 204 a welcome screen is displayed to the user indicatingvarious information such as title, artist, composer, production company,and so on. Information about other titles available from the company,may also be displayed.

[0038] In step 206 a menu is displayed indicating to the user thevarious functions available from the CD.

[0039] In step 208 the software player waits for a command. During thistime information from the information files may be continuouslydisplayed.

[0040] When a command is received, a test is performed in step 210 todetermine if the command is a remove copy command. This command isexplained in more detail below. If it is not, then in step 212 a test ismade to detect a play selection command. The play selection command canspecify a particular program on the disk, or may be a general playcommand to play all the programs in a particular sequence.

[0041] In step 214 the compressed file corresponding to the selection isretrieved. If all the selections are requested, then the firstcompressed file may be retrieved followed by all the remaining files insequence. Depending on the size of the files and the particularoperating system and the configuration of the software player, all thefiles can be retrieved in step 214, or, alternatively, only a portion ofthe file may be retrieved , as desired.

[0042] In step 216 the compressed file is decompressed, decrypted andconverted into an analog file that can be played in step 218 over thespeakers associated with the home computer 30.

[0043] A copy command is recognized in step 220. In response to thiscommand, in step 222 a set of rules is accessed. Preferably the rulesare stored on the data portion of the CD. These rules are used todetermine if the home computer 30 is allowed to make a copy of aparticular compressed files. In step 224 a check is performed todetermine if a copy function is allowed by the system. This decisiondepends on a set of rules which take into consideration a number offactors, normally selected by the CD producer, such as whether the copyis to be stored on the home computer or an external device, the numberof copies previously made on the home computer 30, etc. Preferably, theexternal devices are devices 30, 32 that have a solid state digital, orother kinds of memory used to store digital audio files.

[0044] As discussed above, the compressed audio files are encrypted sothat if they are copied directly to another media, such as the harddrive of the home computer 30, or an external device 32, 34, i.e., bybypassing the software player, the copy is useless and cannot be played.For example, device 32 may be a standard MP player with a hardwiredsolid state memory while device 34 may be an player or other similardevice in which compressed audio files are stored on a replaceablememory stick.

[0045] The software player can be adapted to allow copying of anycompressed file on the hard drive only once, and to allow copying ofcompressed files to any external devices only up to three times. Ofcourse these numbers can be changed by the CD producer.

[0046] Getting back to FIG. 4, when a command is received to copy one ormore compressed files, as part of step 224 a check is performed todetermine whether the rules allow the designated compressed file orfiles to be have been copied. If not, then in step 226 the requestedfile or files are decoded and then copied on either the hard drive orthe respective external device. In step 228 a counter (not shown)designated for a respective device or memory (i.e., either the memory ofthe home computer 30, or the devices 32, 34) is decremented. Thesoftware player then waits for the next command.

[0047] If in step 224 it is found that the rules do not allow therequested copying (for example, if the designated counter has reached acertain limit) then in step 230 a message is displayed to the userindicating that the request has been refused and the software playerthen waits for the next command.

[0048] Going back to step 210, because the number of copies that can bemade is limited, a mechanism is provided that allows a user to ‘remove’a copy of the compressed file from a respective device. When a commandto remove a copy from the hard drive or an external device is receivedin step 210 then in step 232 the software player erases the copy of thedesignated file from the respective device(i.e., either the memory ofhome computer 30 or one of the devices 32, 34). In step 234 the counterfor the respective device is incremented. More specifically, if thecounter indicates that a particular compressed file has been copiedtwice to one of the devices 32, 34 and only three such copies areallowed by the rules, then the counter for the respective devices showsa “1”. After the compressed file is removed, the counter is incrementedto a value of “2”.

[0049] In the above discussion, the medium on which the audio content isrecorded is a CD. Obviously, other media can be used including DVDs,DAT, etc., and, correspondingly, a different hardware player must beused, such as an optical recorder 36.

[0050]FIG. 2 shows an alternate embodiment of the invention. In thisembodiment, audio programs are converted into a composite file with twofile portions corresponding to the audio and data sessions as discussedabove. In other words, the audio programs are converted into a compositefile having a format similar to the CD 10. This file may be considered avirtual CD which is distributed not as a physical object but as a fileover a computer network, such as the Internet. Once it is received ordownloaded by a user, the virtual CD can be fed to either a hybridplayer device such as a home stereo system 120 (which must have thecapability of receiving such files) or to a home computer 130. Oncedownloaded, the virtual CD operates in the same manner as the CD 10discussed above.

[0051] Using this method of distributing audio programming achievesseveral objectives. It reduces or eliminates the so-called “CD problem”because CDs produced by this method cannot be “ripped” and thenreplayed.

[0052] The method can be accomplished by using and encouraging an openarchitecture for a secure electronic music distribution. Thearchitecture includes the use of standardized formats including formatsfor Codecs, copy protection and file formats. The same method can beused for both media and online distribution. The method incorporatessoftware that can be used automatically on any operating system andplatform, including PCs, MACs, PALM and CE hand-held devices, andportable players.

[0053] The method provides a means by which a user can listen to audiodirectly either on a standard device, including CD players, DVD players,recordable DVD players, secure CD-R, etc. Alternatively, the user canmake high quality copies on a computer or portable devices any kind ofmemories, including flash cards.

[0054] Incorporating the software player into the media insures that theuser has the right software for the audio content. Moreover, one issuethat often arises with software players, is that, these players areupdated frequently, and they are not always backward compatible. Withthe present method, the correct player is always bundled with the audiocontent, and software upgrades are immaterial.

[0055] The open architecture allows a CD producer to bundle any softwareplayer with his audio content. Accordingly, any software company candevelop its own player, as long as it is capable of performing thefunctions discussed above.

[0056] The method further allows a CD owner to decide on its own howcopies are made. For example, when the same audio content is distributedelectronically and on CDs, the CD producer may decide to allowseparately how many copies to allow from the CD and how many copies toallow when the content is downloaded on line. Moreover, the CD produceris free to change the rules for each CD released.

[0057] The invention is applicable to multimedia content which includescontrol tags that identify the content by its subject matter. Typically,the control tags are used to identify whether an audio-visual programcontain adult subject matter. If these control tags are present, theaudio-visual content, optionally, may be made available only after ithas been “released” or unlocked by providing an appropriate key. In thismanner, parents and other adults may prevent children and adolescentsfrom listening/viewing audio-visual programs with adult subject matter.

[0058] The subject method is also beneficial to the users since itprovides for a system that easy to use and does not require the user toregister, thereby maintaining his anonymity.

[0059] Numerous modifications may be made to this invention withoutdeparting from its scope as defined in the appended claims.

1. A method of distributing multimedia content comprising: generating afirst session consisting of at least one multimedia program; generatinga data session consisting of digital files including at least onesoftware player program and a digital compressed file corresponding tosaid multimedia program; distributing said multimedia and data sessionsto consumers; wherein the consumers can selectively play said multimediaprogram from said first session through a player device, and through acomputer by using said software player program to manipulate saidcompressed file.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising recordingsaid multimedia and data sessions on a physical medium and distributingsaid physical medium.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein said physicalmedium is selected from a CD, a DVD and other prerecorded medium.
 4. Themethod of claim 2 wherein said physical medium is a DVD.
 5. The methodof claim 1 further comprising combining said multimedia and datasessions into a composite file and transmitting said composite fileelectronically to consumers.
 6. The method of claim 1 further comprisingencrypting said multimedia session to render it undecodable by a generalcomputer.
 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising encoding saiddigital compressed file.
 8. The method of claim 1 further comprisingprocessing said multimedia session to render it transparent to a digitalcomputer.
 9. A method of distributing audio programs comprising:recording on a physical medium a first session and a second session,said first session including audio programs playable only by a playerdevice, said second session including compressed audio filescorresponding to said audio programs and a software player that, whenexecuted on a general purpose computer, is used to play said compressedaudio files; and distributing said physical medium to customers; whereinsaid customers can selectively play said audio programs either from aplayer device or through general computer.
 10. The method of claim 9further comprising encrypting said first session so that it can beplayed only on a player device but not on a general purpose computer.11. The method of claim 9 further comprising encrypting said compressedaudio files.
 12. The method of claim 9 further comprising recording saidsoftware program with said software program being adapted to control amanner in which said compressed audio files are played.
 13. The methodof claim 12 further comprising providing a set of rules used by saidsoftware program to control the copying of said compressed audio files.14. The method of claim 9 further comprising copying said compressedaudio files in a memory.
 15. The method of claim 14 further comprisingcopying said compressed audio files in the memory of a general purposecomputer.
 16. The method of claim 14 further comprising copying saidcompressed audio files in the memory of a portable digital playerdevice.
 17. The method of claim 14 further comprising encoding saidcompressed audio files prior to the recording on said medium anddecoding said compressed audio files prior to copying in said memory.18. The method of claim 14 further comprising controlling by said playersoftware the number of times said compressed audio files are compressedinto a memory.
 19. The method of claim 9 further comprising including insaid data session information associated with audio programs.
 20. Themethod of claim 19 wherein said information includes text files.
 21. Themethod of claim 18 wherein said information includes graphic files.